[mayankk]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Thanks both. How do I know where the condenser is, in order to pressure wash it?

Also, how much did you shell out for the repair and gas?

The smaller radiator beneath and behind the lower grille, the moustache grille.
Condenser, I believe, is the cooling coil behind the glovebox. That replacement cost me 10k or thereabouts 2-3 years back, refill cost me 1200 with servicing of the AC.

[docsinghal]

Hi guys,
I have been a silent follower of this thread for sometime now. I own a 2008 Fiesta 1.6 Sxi that has clocked a little over 80k km. The car has been well maintained and still drives wonderfully.
There is one issue that has been troubling me since the last two years or so and at least 5 service centres have failed to diagnose/rectify the problem.
The problem started in April 2013 when my car started "almost stalling" in B2B traffic when starting off from a standstill in the 1st gear. I say "almost stalling" because it doesn't actually stall, just starts off and it feels as if the engine will stall but it keeps jerking that is typical when the engine is about to stall. This happens only when the engine really heats up in summers and in stop-go traffic conditions. The 'stalling' disappears if I immediately up-shit to the 2nd gear or even if I start off in the 2nd gear itself. Revving up the engine doesn't help either, only pressing the clutch or shifting to 2nd gear stops the jerking movements.

I have taken the car to Harpreet Ford Delhi and Ghaziabad, Bhagat Ford Chandigarh, Rustle Ford Solan and now its in Kanpur and is being serviced by Swarn Ford. None of the service centres have been able to resolve the problem, I have been told to replace battery, replace spark plugs, the diagnostics came out normal, the transmission oil has been drained and refilled. Its becoming to increasingly frustrating to drive the car in summers.
i have approached Ford directly through email and am due to take the car back to service centre next week.

I could use some expert advice from the group.

[vnabhi]

@docsinghal--this seems unusual. I've only had one experience of the car jerking like hell at standstill, but that vanished soon after the car started moving. I guess that was due to adulterated fuel, and I've not had that issue later.

Are you on your original clutch plates? Is there any sign of clutch wear? Is the fuel in your car pure? I'm just sharing some random thoughts.

[docsinghal]

@vnabhi I am on original clutch plates and all the mechanics have assured that the clutch plates are fine. Moreover the problem only occurs in 1st gear and not the 2nd. The fuel is fine too, the problem has persisted for the last 2 years now, happens only in peak summers though.
I had a feeling that it might be something to do with the ECU malfunction with the anti stall feature misbehaving in some way but I am not sure if that's the problem, moreover the diagnostics are normal as per the service centre.
One non ford mechanic had made a comment about some master cylinder of the clutch needing adjustment or change, but the service centre has ruled that out.
It definitely is a problem, one of those diagnostic dilemmas like we doctors call them.

[yogi1771]

Do get the fuel pump checked,was facing a similar kind of problem with my car it would stall or would react how your car is reacting when in slow moving traffic. Got the fuel pump motor replaced at my local garage & is working fine now. Also get your fuel filter changed,hope this rectifies the problem.

[docsinghal]

@yogi1771 I will get it checked. I have a doubt though, wouldn't the problem persist in 2nd gear too, if it was the fuel system?

[vnabhi]

Looks like I've finally become the victim of the infamous AC evaporator coil issue!
This is after 98 months of ownership.

As mentioned earlier, around a week back, when temperatures were around 45 degrees C, I had to make two airport runs in the afternoon. On both trips, I felt the AC was not cooling enough, even at blower position 2 and sometimes in 3. But in the evenings and mornings, it worked fine. Even today it was working fine. But the max temperature today was only 37.

Nevertheless, I took it to Vibrant Ford as I needed to get a bush replaced on the lever that holds the bonnet up. I also asked them to inspect the AC. They did inspect it by sitting inside the car and putting it in a higher blower position, and confirmed that there is a whooshing sound that indicates a leak in the evaporator coil. They said I can get it done later, and would cost around 13 K with labour. They also said the weakness in the AC would manifest itself only in very hot temperatures.

This being the case, I am wondering if I should get it done over the next few weeks at an AC shop nearby, instead of Ford A.S.S. The only things holding me back from going to the local guy are:

1. I'm not sure if he can fix the dashboard back in a manner that will not lead to rattles.
2. Hope I don't have water droplets on the footwell that some people are complaining of.
3. His shop is on a narrow street, and I am hesitant to leave my car for an entire day over there.

BTW, that guy was referred by another bhpian.

[Starscream1188]

Hello all..

After a lot of hunting around for a used 1.6 and no real luck on a well maintained car, I have decided to go ahead and buy a new Fiesta 1.6 Titanium.
Will end up getting the last few available pieces of the car.

Quick question: The car does not come with a USB option is it possible to use the aux port to play music directly from a USB?
Any one who has mod done for this?

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by docsinghal

There is one issue that has been troubling me since the last two years or so and at least 5 service centres have failed to diagnose/rectify the problem.

I own a 2008 TDCi, last month I experienced the same thing!
Noticed that the RPM meter was not working while this was happening. I assume its electrical. Check yours next time.
All I did was switch the car off, restart and it was fine, has not occurred since.

Originally Posted by Starscream1188

Quick question: The car does not come with a USB option is it possible to use the aux port to play music directly from a USB?
Any one who has mod done for this?

Spent a long time hunting for a solution, what you need is a USB Bluetooth Audio Receiver 3.5mm Music Adapter. Look it up on eBay.
Bluetooth connects to a USB car charger and to the aux port at the other end.

[docsinghal]

@Hatari, All electricals work just fine, including the tachometer. I still have feeling that its got something to do with the ECU and not the mechanicals.

[techiecal]

Originally Posted by Starscream1188

Hello all..

After a lot of hunting around for a used 1.6 and no real luck on a well maintained car, I have decided to go ahead and buy a new Fiesta 1.6 Titanium.
Will end up getting the last few available pieces of the car.

Quick question: The car does not come with a USB option is it possible to use the aux port to play music directly from a USB?
Any one who has mod done for this?

Ditto!! After hunting around for a year I too booked my a new Classic 1.6 last Sep. I found the owners of well kept Fiesta's were too attached to their car-I would be too. The others were in a pitiable condition.

I have used the AUX port directly on the HU with my Ipod but the quality suffers as compared to a MP3 CD. Further conversion from a USB source to AUX might not produce good results either.

[Starscream1188]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Spent a long time hunting for a solution, what you need is a USB Bluetooth Audio Receiver 3.5mm Music Adapter. Look it up on eBay.
Bluetooth connects to a USB car charger and to the aux port at the other end.

This helps when the Player in the car does not have Bluetooth, trying to find a solution to play music directly from USB. Looks like connecting an MP3 Player is the best solution that is available.

[praveen_v]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Looks like I've finally become the victim of the infamous AC evaporator coil issue!
This is after 98 months of ownership.

As mentioned earlier, around a week back, when temperatures were around 45 degrees C, I had to make two airport runs in the afternoon. On both trips, I felt the AC was not cooling enough, even at blower position 2 and sometimes in 3. But in the evenings and mornings, it worked fine. Even today it was working fine. But the max temperature today was only 37.

Nevertheless, I took it to Vibrant Ford as I needed to get a bush replaced on the lever that holds the bonnet up. I also asked them to inspect the AC. They did inspect it by sitting inside the car and putting it in a higher blower position, and confirmed that there is a whooshing sound that indicates a leak in the evaporator coil. They said I can get it done later, and would cost around 13 K with labour. They also said the weakness in the AC would manifest itself only in very hot temperatures.

This being the case, I am wondering if I should get it done over the next few weeks at an AC shop nearby, instead of Ford A.S.S. The only things holding me back from going to the local guy are:

1. I'm not sure if he can fix the dashboard back in a manner that will not lead to rattles.
2. Hope I don't have water droplets on the footwell that some people are complaining of.
3. His shop is on a narrow street, and I am hesitant to leave my car for an entire day over there.

BTW, that guy was referred by another bhpian.

Too bad you ran across this problem. My Fiesta 1.6 had the same evaporator coil leak issue a year back (6yrs old) and Ford service quoted around 25k for me. Decided it was too expensive and went my friend then took it to a local guy who did the job for 10k (and broke the OVRM mirror costing 1k to fix). It still holds well for a year now. But in your case since the Service centre is quoting 13k, it looks reasonable. I heared from the local guy that accessing the AC equipment in Fiesta is cumbersome as it is in a hard to reach area and a lot of disassembly is required. Not a small job and prone to issues you mentioned. Also one more thing you need to consider is that it might not be easy to source original FORD components outside easily. Check with the local guy if you decide to go with him.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by praveen_v

Too bad you ran across this problem. My Fiesta 1.6 had the same evaporator coil leak issue a year back (6yrs old) and Ford service quoted around 25k for me. Decided it was too expensive and went my friend then took it to a local guy who did the job for 10k (and broke the OVRM mirror costing 1k to fix). It still holds well for a year now. But in your case since the Service centre is quoting 13k, it looks reasonable. I heared from the local guy that accessing the AC equipment in Fiesta is cumbersome as it is in a hard to reach area and a lot of disassembly is required. Not a small job and prone to issues you mentioned. Also one more thing you need to consider is that it might not be easy to source original FORD components outside easily. Check with the local guy if you decide to go with him.

25K??

I still feel 13 K is expensive. I also scouted another well-known car AC specialist, who deals with Subros ACs, and he's given me an estimate of 8 K for the entire job, including gas and dash removal and re-installation. I visited his workshop and he had many cars like Esteem, Corolla, Civic and a Fiesta inside. I'll most probably avail his services as he seems very knowledgeable and experienced.
Per him, Ford Evaporators are made by Hella. And all he needs is a single day, unlike Ford A.S.S., which needs 2 days. I'll keep you updated.

[vnabhi]

I had a spin in the Fiesta with bhpian MotoringLover around the Hussein Sagar this evening, and he and his wife felt the AC was working pretty good. He was also asking if it was prudent to change the Evaporator Coil under such circumstances.

Now I am bloody confused! I do know it will be another 10 to 11 months for the temperatures in Hyderabad to cross 40 degrees Centigrade, so I was wondering if I could postpone the repair till I reach a point when I feel there is no cooling at all.

Anybody has any ideas?